Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura

Definition

Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder. It is a reduction in the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are small cells in your blood that stick together to form blood clots. These clots help stop bleeding at injury sites. Low platelet levels with ITP makes it easier to develop bruises or bleed even with minor injuries.

There are 2 types of ITP:

Acute ITP

Lasts less than 6 months

Usually occurs in children

Most common type of ITP

Chronic ITP

Lasts longer than 6 months

Usually occurs in adults

Causes

ITP is caused by a problem with the immune system. The immune system places a tag on platelet cells. This tag mistakenly identifies platelets as foreign material. Organs like the spleen and liver will then remove the tagged platelets as they pass through in the blood. Gradually, this process will reduce the number of platelets in your blood. Eventually, the decreased levels of platelets will be severe enough to interfere with the blood's ability to clot.

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Your bodily fluids will be tested. This can be done with:

Blood tests

Bone marrow tests

Treatment

Treatment for ITP is different for children and adults. ITP is short term in most children. Most children will recover without any treatment. Adults are more likely to develop a chronic form of ITP. Not all of these chronic ITPs will require treatment. Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you.

Some treatment options include:

Medications

Medication may help to either slow the destruction of platelet cells or increase production of platelets. The overall goal is to maintain a healthy level of platelets in the blood.

To increase platelet counts in the blood, your doctor may advise:

Steroids to lower the activity of the immune system and decrease the destruction of platelets

Gamma globulin infusions to slow down platelet destruction; it usually works more quickly than steroids

Both of these treatments work, but both can have side effects.

Medication may also be given to stimulate platelet production. These medications may prevent the need for surgery.

Platelet Transfusion

A
platelet transfusion may be used to prevent the platelet count from dropping too low.

Surgery

A splenectomy is the removal of the spleen. The spleen is the main site of platelet destruction. Without your spleen, your platelet levels should begin to improve. However, the missing spleen also makes you more likely to get certain infections. This surgery is usually not done until all medication options have been tried.

Activity Changes

You may be asked to avoid certain activities when your platelet counts are low. This may include avoiding contact sports or wearing a helmet.

Prevention

Since the cause of ITP is unknown, there are no specific ways of preventing it. However, bleeding and injury can be serious for people with ITP. To decrease the chance of bleeding injuries:

Take precautions in your child's environment. Consider padding an infant's crib or play area.

Make sure that older children wear helmets and protective gear when playing sports. This will help to reduce bruising injuries.

Consider temporarily stopping contact sports such as football and rough game playing when platelet counts are low.

Avoid medications that contain
aspirin
or
ibuprofen. These medications can reduce platelet activity.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

George JN, Woolf SH, et al. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a practice guideline developed by explicit methods for The American Society of Hematology. Available at:
http://www.ouhsc.edu/platelets/itp/ITP%20Publications/pub2%5F1.pdf. Accessed June 13, 2016.